lesson plan
Engaging Learning Techniques
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What you will learn: In this lesson plan, you will learn more about active teaching methods in LessonUp, what makes a teaching method active, and how to create such methods in LessonUp.
Time required: 6 minutes.
👀 At the bottom of this lesson plan, you will find a PDF document and a LessonUp lesson with the information covered in this plan. You can save the lesson in your LessonUp account or download the PDF document to review it later.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ENGAGING LEARNING TECHNIQUES
Engaging learning techniques involve students actively participating in the learning process. This can lead to increased engagement and better learning outcomes, something every teacher desires!
Engaging learning techniques can include activities where students collaborate, discuss, present, solve problems, or work independently. In these techniques, students actively process the learning material and are encouraged to contribute with their own insights.
Why are engaging learning techniques important?
Engaging learning techniques are important because they contribute to students' learning processes. Students are stimulated to actively engage with the learning material, which enhances their understanding and retention of the content. Engaging techniques also promote collaboration among students, develop communication skills, and foster critical thinking.
Additionally, using engaging learning techniques brings more variety to your lessons, making them more interesting for students. By increasing student engagement and motivation the learning process becomes more enjoyable and effective.
PREPARATION
Prior to implementing active teaching methods, it's essential to prepare them well:
- Determine the learning objectives you want to achieve with the engaging techniques.
- Choose an appropriate learning technique that aligns with the learning objectives and matches your students' needs.
- Clearly explain the technique to the students, so they know what is expected of them.
- Consider the time needed for the technique and ensure you have the necessary materials.
Tip: Don't forget to evaluate the technique with the students afterward, to assess whether the learning objectives are met and to gather feedback for potential improvements.
EXAMPLES engaging learning techniques
Below are 8 engaging learning techniques you can apply in your lessons. Check the lesson or the PDF document at the bottom of this lesson plan to see how you can create them in LessonUp.
1. Quiz
A quiz is a quick way to test students' knowledge. In LessonUp, you can easily create quizzes or use an existing one from the lesson library.
2. Drag-and-drop question
With a drag-and-drop question, you can have students match words/images to other words/images. A perfect way to test their ability to make connections.
3. Spinner
Add a spinner to actively involve each student. The spinner can randomly select a student or display random words/questions.
Tip: Prepare one spinner with the names of participants and another spinner with questions and/or words.
Use polls to see whether students agree or disagree with a statement. Divide the class into teams for and against the statement. Have the students come up with arguments for their team and start the debate!
Tip: Use multiple polls in succession for multiple debates.
Students listen, with their eyes closed, to a story you read aloud, accompanied by music. Then, students visualise what they have seen in their minds.
Tip: Have students come up with a story based on the music instead of you telling a story, and ask them to draw what they saw.
6. Visible Thinking - See, think, wonder
See, Think, Wonder is a method from Visible Thinking (Project Zero). The goal of Visible Thinking is to make students' thinking visible.
- ‘I see...’ (See). Students describe the photo without interpreting it.
- ‘I think...’ (Think). Students explain what is happening in the photo, interpret it, and provide a rationale.
- ‘I wonder...’ (Wonder). Students ask remaining questions about the photo.
Trivial Pursuit tests your knowledge. The spinner determines the question and category. Each correct answer earns a ‘piece of the pie.’ The first to collect all the pieces wins. Play in pairs.
In Game of the Goose, students work independently, in pairs, or in groups of 3. They are asked questions during the game, which become more difficult as they progress.
🧑🎓 Go TO THE NEXT MODULE: 'GAMIFICATION'
You now know what active teaching methods are, why they are important, and how to prepare yourself for implementing them. Additionally, you have seen some examples.
The next module covers Gamification - learning through games. It includes even more fun and active teaching methods. Be sure to check it out.